July 23, 2025
Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about how our Diversion First program began, take a tour of historic Oak Hill, our guide to cycling in Fairfax County, and resources for family caregivers. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
In 2015, the National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments and the American Psychiatric Association launched the Stepping Up Initiative, dedicated to reducing the overincarceration of people with mental illness and improving responses to behavioral health needs in jails and communities. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a Stepping Up resolution in 2015, and Fairfax was designated a Stepping Up Innovator County in 2019, one of approximately only 50 in the country. Locally, we have implemented Stepping Up as Diversion First. Fairfax County was featured in the Stepping Up 10-year celebration at the National Association of Counties' Annual Conference. NACo's video highlights the county's transformation and tremendous cross-system collaboration since Stepping up was launched.
Take a tour of historic Oak Hill, one of the oldest homes in Fairfax County, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This annual open house provides an opportunity to go back in time and rediscover our community roots. Oak Hill Manor is located at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale. Built in 1790 by Richard Fitzhugh, a descendant of one of the first land-grant holders in Northern Virginia, the late Georgian style house was renovated in the Colonial Revival style during the 1940s by renowned restoration architect Walter M. Macomber. In 2004, Seville Homes, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to a historic and conservation easement to preserve the property, including its 200-year-old boxwoods. Please note that Oak Hill is a private residence and is only available for public access during this annual open house. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and utilize parking on the residential streets adjacent to Oak Hill. For more information about Oak Hill and this year's open house, please visit Oak Hill online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/oak-hill.
Cycling is a fun, sustainable and healthy way to explore, enjoy and commute in Fairfax County. In the last 20 years, there’s been a significant increase in bicycling on county trails, sidewalks and roads. As a result, we’ve expanded our multi-use trails and bike lanes. Be ready for your next ride with safety tips, our bike map, bike parking information and more in our guide to cycling in Fairfax County. Whether you’re going for a spin around the neighborhood, biking to work or enjoying your local park, our interactive Bike Map can help you find the best route to your destination. The map is color-coded to mark trail difficulty. Our Park Authority also offers additional trails in our parks. Find our bike map online at fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/bike/map.
Are you a family caregiver for an older adult, or an adult or child with a disability, with a serious health condition? Fairfax County offers resources to help family members or friends who provide care and assistance to a loved one due to illness, injury or disability. If you have questions or are not sure where to start, call the Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948, or submit a request form. NewsCenter has more on this, including programs and services available, with links. Just search “Taking Care of a Loved One After Release from the Hospital” on NewsCenter, fairfaxcounty.gov/news.
Finally, find other county podcasts at fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And for 24/7 news and information from and about Fairfax County, listen to Fairfax County Government Radio online at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. An be sure to subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. Subscribe to “Weekender” at fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.
That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.
Listen Online or On the Go.